Meet our Campers
Who they are.
Tizmoret Shoshana campers—or, “Tizmoretites,” as they have dubbed themselves—are a group of Orthodox Jewish tweens and teens hailing from the United States, Canada, and Israel. No matter where she comes from, each girl is passionate about the Torah-arts lifestyle.
What they do.
In our warm, accepting environment of like-minded spirits, Tizmoretites revel in the freedom to be themselves. Walk around during a break and you’ll find some draped across a couch, discussing quantum mechanics, animatedly learning Mesillas Yesharim, or engaged in a competition to discover who is the true balloon-animal-making champ.
Where they go.
Our alumnae are artists, musicians, teachers, doctors, engineers, and therapists, to name a few. Many go on to attend seminary or college in the US, Israel, or Canada. Some are lucky enough to come back to Tizmoret as staff. Wherever they go, they take with them the confidence and skills they gained in their summers at Tizmoret, and contribute to Jewish communities across the globe.
Meet our 2025 Staff
Mrs. Jane Gitter
Director, Violin/Viola Instructor
Mrs. Gitter has over 30 years of experience as an educator and performer in the US and Canada. She obtained her MMus and BMus in Violin Performance from the University of Western Ontario. If she ever has spare time at camp, you will find her kayaking with a good book in hand that she will endeavour to not drop into the lake. It’s also possible that she will be hiding in her cabin with some good chocolate… which she might even share!
Dr. Ben Gitter
Director, Cello Instructor
Dr. Gitter obtained his MMus in Music Theory and DMA in Cello Performance at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and his MMus and BMus in Cello Performance at the University of Western Ontario. Dr. Gitter has held faculty positions at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, the University of Central Missouri, and the University of Windsor. If there’s a ball and bat around, you may find Dr. Gitter reliving his days as a Softball Ontario umpire. Dr.Gitter is also our dedicated eruv checker, wildlife reporter, and erstwhile plumber.
Shaindy Gottheil
Fine Art Instructor
Meet Shaindy Gottheil, Fine Art Instructor at Tizmoret! With a background in fine art from Nachas Art Academy under Rebbetzin Naomi Hertzberg-Flaum, Shaindy currently teaches students of all ages at Ateres Bais Yaakov and Bnos Leah of Monsey. Shaindy believes that art is for everyone - with practice and passion, anyone can learn to create, regardless of talent or experience. As a freelance illustrator and painter, Shaindy is excited to share this love of art with the girls at Tizmoret and help them discover their own creative potential.
Mrs. Avigayil Finkelstein
Creative Writing Instructor (first half)
Avigayil Finkelstein is pursuing her PhD in Medieval Jewish History and teaches high school Jewish Studies and history. She holds an MA in Jewish Studies and a BA in Jewish Studies and Creative Writing. In her free time, she writes short stories and shares fun facts about Hebrew grammar, to the absolute delight of her friends and family.
Mrs. L. Nussbaum
Piano, Vocal & Guitar Instructor
Mrs.Nussbaum teaches general music at several Boston day schools, as well as teaching piano, voice, and guitar privately. She is the proud mother of a Tizmoret counselor, and is excited to be back for another music-filled summer at Tizmoret.
Sarala Lindow
Drama Instructor, first half
Sarala Lindow is jack-of-all-trades with a special love for all things dramatic. From writing scripts and teaching improv comedy to directing plays and starring in them, Sarala has utilized the rules of drama in all areas of her professional and personal life. When she's not on stage or touring the world presenting inspirational speeches (okay, that second part hasn't happened- yet!) Sarala enjoys a good book, a good hike, or a good game of Rummikub.
Leah Spector
Drama Instructor, second half
Leah Spector is brand new to Tizmoret Shoshana! She has been acting and singing since she was 4 years old and is currently minoring in theater arts at Rutgers University. She is so excited to work with the campers at Tizmoret!
Devorah Duskis
Arts & Crafts Instructor
Devorah is joining Tizmoret from Israel this summer and looks forward to co-running the Arts & Crafts program. Get ready for fun with resin art, tie-dye & more!
Leah Rosenbloom
Arts & Crafts Instructor & Lifeguard
Contrary to what it may seem, Leah will not be making arts and crafts at the lake. She will, however, be dividing her time between the two areas. This is Leah’s first summer at Tizmoret.
Judy Leserman
Creative Writing Instructor, second half
Judy didn’t submit a bio, which means that the directors get to have fun writing it for her. Judy has many talents - she recently completed a MFA degree in Creative Writing, specializing in poetry and translation, both of which she is offering as electives this summer. Judy is also a former Tizmoret Head Counselor and - gasp - a violist! (But we’ll still let her come because she’s awesome!)
Mrs. Rachel Gray
Vocal & Guitar Instructor, first half
Singing? Songwriting? Playwriting? Guitar? Mrs. Gray does it all. We’re excited to have her join us for first half this summer after years of Mrs. Gitter wanting to get her to Tizmoret! Two of Mrs. Gray’s daughters are former Tizmoret campers and staff, so now it’s her turn to experience the fun.
Mrs. Yonah Willig
Piano Instructor, second half
Mrs. Willig was our piano instructor in 2023 and we’re thrilled that she is joining us again for second half this summer!
Ita Matskin
Dance Instructor, second half
Ita Eidel has over 10 years of classical ballet training in styles such as Vaganova and Balanchine. She has trained in contemporary dance with a side of rhythmic gymnastics and hip-hop, and has taught private and group classes for three years, most recently in Foxboro Classical Ballet Academy. In her free time, she enjoys a good book with a hot cup of tea.
Mrs. Karen Cohen
Flute Instructor, Crochet Instructor, & Doer of All Things
Mrs.Cohen, aka the Doer of All Things, is an accomplished flutist who doubles as an equally accomplished organizer of nearly everything Tizmoret-related. Can’t find her at camp? Chances are good that she’s gone off to WalMart with lists of items for at least six different people. In her mostly non-existent spare time, she enjoys random conversations, and wrangling Mrs.Gitter into admitting that she does indeed need assistance with various camp tasks.
Mrs. Sara Brown
Head of Shiur Program
Mrs. Brown has coordinated our shiur program for four years. You won't see her in person at Tizmoret this summer, but she is working behind the scenes with the shiur staff. Mrs. Brown (BA humanities, master's in progress in educational administration) teaches kodesh and art, and coaches teachers, at Maayan Torah Day School in her hometown of Portland, Oregon. She claims that Portland is like Tizmoret, and invites you to visit.
Mrs. Golda Ayelet Keilson
Middle School Division Head & Head Shiur Instructor, first half
Golda Ayelet Keilson has been part of the Tizmoret family for 9 years, both as a camper, counselor, and drama instructor. (Drama has been her passion since early childhood, though as an adult, she tries to keep it contained to the stage.) Her other passion is teaching others why being a bas Yisrael is awesome, which is why she shed the role of drama instructor to become the head shiur instructor and middle school division head. Her alter ego, Herman, is a tolerated member of the Tizmoret family as well, and may or may not make several appearances over the summer.
Dr. Talia Hindin
Mental Health Professional
Talia Hindin, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist who received her doctorate from Yeshiva University’s Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. Talia has received additional training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and ACT. She has worked with children and adolescents in both school and clinical settings, most recently having worked as the school psychologist in a yeshiva day school where she was responsible for the emotional well-being of students in grade 1-8. Talia currently lives in Israel with her family and is excited to be returning to the states for the summer to join the Tizmoret Shoshana family for yet another wonderful summer!
Rachel Gitter
Scheduling Queen
As the Scheduling Queen, Rachel helps campers pick from the ever-growing assortment of amazing elective choices and sorts campers into the schedules of their dreams (hopefully!). As a past Tizmoret camper and current Tizmoret staff member, Rachel loves connecting with staff and campers alike and helping out wherever she can. She has yet to attach trackers to her parents, no matter how much people ask; she can help you find whatever activity you're supposed to be attending, though! She's also the caretaker of Shoshana Elephant, the beloved stuffed elephant mascot of camp. In her spare time, Rachel enjoys writing, singing, and obsessively refreshing her camp email in hopes of more people having filled out forms and/or emailed her about something camp-related. Her favourite punctuation mark is probably the interrobang, though she uses ellipses much more often…
Rina Peromsik
High School Division Head, Counselor, and Crochet Instructor
Rina Peromsik is returning to Tizmoret Shoshana for her third summer as Crochet Instructor and her fourth summer as a counselor (new for this year—High-school Division Head). She is a founding member of Picky Eaters Inc. and the Society for the Rights of Underused Letters. Her crocheted dragons will tell you that when she is not at Tizmoret, Rina works as an ELA teacher who delights in teaching small children words bigger than they are. She also spends time working on her Master's Degree(s) in Library Science and Children's Literature, which the dragons are pretty sure she's using as an excuse to spend all her time reading books.
Devorah Sterzer
Middle School Division Head & Counselor, second half
Devorah is returning for her third summer at Tizmoret Shoshana. This year, she will be taking on the role of Middle School Division Head in addition to being a counselor. Devorah is practicing for her improbable future as a camp grant writer, having recently suggested that we offer a “Wilderness Shul” elective where campers canoe to the small island in the middle of the lake and build a shul - what could be better than connecting to our Jewish identity in nature? (Don’t worry - Mrs. Gitter has squashed that idea. And no, Mrs. Gitter totally did not write this bio. Why do you ask?)
Rivka Katz
Shiur Instructor & Dishwasher Extraordinaire
Rivka Katz is returning for her 4th summer at Tizmoret! She will be enjoying teaching shiur to Tizmoret campers, washing dishes (teaching them too?), and in her spare time, seeking any musical or writing outlets available.
Basya Saperstein
Instructor, Office Minion, and Canteen Raven (sometimes it’s best not to ask!)
Basya Saperstein is returning for her fourth summer at Tizmoret, her second summer as an Office Minion and Canteen Raven, and her first summer as a Sign Language instructor. She has just finished a year studying abroad in Rebbetzin Heller-Gottlieb's theological finishing school, where she learned a great deal about Torah and FriendshipTM. She is never seen without her rubber chicken and a suitably ridiculous haiku.
Annalie Weisz
Shiur Instructor & Kitchen Staff, second half
Annalie Weisz, hailing from Monsey, is returning to Tizmoret Shoshana for her second summer. Previously a counselor, she spent the last year perfecting her skills as a dorm counselor and kitchen liaison in Bnos Avigail. This summer, she'll be working in the kitchen and teaching a shiur elective.
Meira Lutch
Instructor & Counselor, first half
Meira Lutch is a recent graduate of the Bais Yaakov of Baltimore, and she is excited to be joining camp as both a counselor and elective teacher. She has long enjoyed writing and editing, serving as Co-Editor in Chief of her school paper and Editor in Chief of the Solomon Journal, a leading Jewish high school journal in America. Meira is also a student of the Tikvah Fund, where she was first introduced to religious liberty and constitutional law—subjects she is eager to explore and share this summer in her elective, The Court, Religion, and the Constitution. Meira is looking forward to a meaningful and engaging summer at camp!
Sema Edelson
Head Lifeguard & Nurse’s Assistant
Sema Edelson (more commonly known at camp as Sema Lifeguard, as for some reason nobody seems to remember her last name) serves as the head lifeguard, in charge of all things lake--even the directors defer to her, though we don't quite know about the lake monster! As well, this year she will be taking on the role of nurse's assistant, helping out in the Health Center to make things more streamlined. Sema looks forward to watching your campers have fun and stay safe in the lake!
Mindy Firfer
Shiur-and-Other-Fun-Things Instructor
Returning (this time as a staff member) from the far - off land of Washington Heights, Mindy is incredibly excited to meet (and reunite with) all of the wonderful campers! Mindy is deeply passionate about all things Torah, history, fashion, art, other random subjects and pieces of information, and cake (mostly the eating of said cake), and hopes she can be of as much service as possible. Although she comes to teach, what she is most excited about is what she will get to learn from her students. She also wishes that she could possess a rubber chicken, just like another remarkable and much-beloved staff member.